HISTORY
Most of our conceptions of how Holy Communion/The Lord's Supper/Eucharist should be observed are based on tradition. Now, tradition isn't necessarily a problem, but we should take it into account in wondering about this question of online communion. When we strip away tradition, how was it practiced originally? According to Luke 22 and I Corinthians 11:
- It was held in someone's home, not a religious space
- There is no distinction in who could lead it
- It was done during and after a larger meal
- The cup was given before and after the bread
- It wasn't done one person at a time, but collectively
To some today, observing Holy Communion without an ordained minister or as part of a larger meal would seem like blasphemy. Yet when we read, we find it's completely consistent with scripture. Renowned New Testament scholar and Dean of the Duke Divinity School, Richard B. Hays, says we have to keep in mind these "historical circumstances" when reading about the Lord's Supper - "Christians accustomed to experiencing the Lord's Supper only as a ritual 'in church', removed from a meal setting, will need to discipline their imaginations to keep this original setting in mind."*
A part of the issue then in reading and practice is that we often see tradition as the beginning of a practice, when tradition is really the ritualized development of an historical practice over time. There has constantly been changes in the way Holy Communion has been observed. It wasn't always done by intinction (dipping the bread in a common cup), wearing white gloves (something we Black Baptists do), or with a gluten-free option (just heard of this last week - wow!). Instead, it has been a continuation of faithfully observing the sacrament while making contemporary considerations...If Jesus and His apostles witnessed how we observe Holy Communion would they recognize it? Would they consider it faithful? Somehow we believe they would make room for our adjustments - can't we make room for others? Interesting...mysterious even...
Lord, thank You for the witness of history. Please allow us to remain faithful to You as we enter new spaces of worship and obedience. Help us to be wise and harmless. We trust You Holy Spirit and listen to be led by You. Please guide our hearts and minds. In Christ Jesus. Amen.
Pushing,
j.a.g.
*Richard Hays. First Corinthians: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary in Teaching and Preaching. (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1997), 193.
S/O to Dr. Brittany Wilson and my classmates in NT Bodies for great feedback last week and for suggesting we read Dean Hays' chapter on this topic. See pp. 193-206 of that text for more.
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